Delegate Jon S. Cardin

We heard dozens of bills this week in the Ways and Means Committee, including maintenance of effort (education) and combined reporting (taxes), many generating a wide array of support and opposition. Given the sheer numbers of issues on our plate, I will describe just one with which I have been involved: legislation to make our roads safer for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

I introduced House Bill 461 to promote bicycle safety. The intent of this bill is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for both bicyclists and drivers on Maryland’s roads and bicycle paths. The bill requires that a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist or pedestrian give the rider at least a three-foot buffer of clearance. It would also require that cars turning across a marked bicycle lane give the cyclist the right of way. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the driver of a motor vehicle would not be at fault if the bicyclist infringes upon the three-foot buffer or fails to maintain a steady course.

By clarifying and codifying the responsibilities of both bicyclists and motorists operating on Maryland’s roadways, this bill will foster a safe environment for bicyclists to recreate and travel. The bill’s sponsors also anticipate that the three-foot minimum will be an easy standard for both cyclists and motorists to remember, and one that reinforces the principles suggested in the Maryland Driver’s Education handbook. Too many unnecessary accidents have occurred from lack of due care, and this clarifying standard will make Maryland one of the nation’s bike-friendliest states.

This week I was honored to host a delegation of legislators from Japan visiting with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), a bipartisan, non-profit educational exchange organization. AcYPL is dedicated to fostering relations between the next generation of political leaders in the United States and their counterparts around the world. It is partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, and I am honored to serve on its board.

Each year ACYPL sends young Americans (ages 25-40) on political study tours abroad and organizes reciprocal visits to the United States. Participants learn diplomatic skills, engage in dialogue on bilateral issues and forge professional relationships through the unique access they receive to the political leadership of the nations they visit.

The Japanese delegation visited Annapolis as part of their two-week visit in the United States. While in Annapolis, they met with numerous state leaders including House Speaker Michael Busch, Senate President Mike Miller, House Majority Leader Kumar Barve and House Minority Leader Tony O’Donnell. Among the speakers were Del. Melony Griffith, Del. Joseph Bartlett, and Earl Adams, Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, all of whom visited Japan with ACYPL in previous years.

I am looking forward to seeing many of my constituents at the Baltimore Jewish Council’s Advocacy Night on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more information contact cpleeter@baltjc.org.

I enjoyed visiting this week with constituents from the Roland Park Country School fifth grade, NASA, Humane Society, UMB School of Nursing, League of Women Voters, Community Assistance Network, and CCBC.